Summary: After a booking mix-up on the college trip, you end up sharing a room with your art professor, Sheba.
Warnings/Notes: Reader is not a minor!!! She’s a College student!!! Making that clear. Pedos are gross, (fuck you Sheba) hence why I changed it. Anyway, I'm back now I think. Hoping to get some more Cate-character fics out soon.
Word Count: 3759
“You’re serious?”
You stared at the two people in front of you, dumbfounded.
A few of the history and art classes in your college had raised enough money to take a field trip to another country as a chance to learn about the history of the location and gather some artistic inspiration. As an avid art student, you were pleased when you’d been accepted to travel.
The student you were supposed to be rooming with called out the night before the plane left because they’d fallen ill. You were planning on having the room to yourself, but that all changed when the head of the trip knocked on your door.
“We’re not quite sure how it happened. The travel agent is working with the hotel right now to find a permanent solution, but for now, this is our temporary one.” The man explained. “We were hoping you’d be open to sharing the room with Ms. Hart?”
“Sheba.” The woman at his side corrected kindly.
You looked at her. Sheba Hart was your art professor. You’d known her for about a year now and were friendly with each other. You didn’t have any other artistic friends so you’d often talk to her in class.
“I’m sorry for imposing, Y/n.” Sheba’s brows drew in worry. “I understand if you’re uncomfortable, I know this isn’t ideal.”
“No, uh…” You stammered, not wanting her to feel like a burden. “You can stay, it’s alright.”
Relief flooded Sheba’s face and she mouthed her thanks. She spoke a few more words to the man before entering the room. You watched her quietly, still processing.
“Thank you, again.” Sheba’s suitcase thudded onto the bed. She popped the lock before opening it and pulling some clothes out. “I can’t believe this happened. So much for a 5-star travel agent…”
“It’s okay, it isn’t your fault.” You finally snapped back to reality as you sat on the edge of her bed. You couldn’t help but watch her as she put her clothes away. What did she look like in pajamas? What kind of pajamas did she wear? Your bets were on an old band shirt.
“You’re the sweetest.” Sheba flashed you a smile. “I don’t think every student would be as accepting of this as you are.”
The boys would. They’d drool over just the thought of being in the same room alone with her. And that’s not to say you didn’t feel that same heart fluttering when you glanced at her direction, but at least you hid it.
You just chuckled softly. “As long as you’re okay with me being up late.”
“A night owl, are you? So am I.”
“Oh, good.”
Finished with unpacking, Sheba opened the glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony. The wind ruffled her hair and she laughed like it had told her a joke.
You followed her out, gazing at the town you were staying in. It was a lovely place, but your eyes kept flicking to the woman in front of you. Keep it together, you insisted silently. She’s your professor.
The smile on Sheba’s face when she looked over her shoulder at you was brighter than the sun and she gestured for you to join her at the railing.
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it? I’ve always wanted to travel… I worried I’d never get the chance. But here I am.” She murmured almost to herself. “I hope you know, we’ll spend weeks studying and learning from the art here whenever we get back. I’ve already got a few lessons planned.”
“I don’t doubt it.” You grinned. Somehow she managed to make even the most boring topics seem fascinating. If she told you to watch paint dry, you’d adore every second of it.
Sheba smiled too. “I know you don’t. You’re a smart girl.”
Was she trying to make your heart beat out of your chest? You could’ve sworn there was a glint in her eyes but it was gone before you could register it.
The majority of the day was spent as a large group, wandering around the city together and taking in all of the sites packed into your schedule. How you all managed to visit two museums and multiple monuments in only 4 hours, you had no idea. The one that stuck out the most to you was an old museum on the edge of town. Inside were beautiful pieces of art; statues, paintings, even the door frames themselves could have been considered masterpieces.
But what caught your eye was something in one of the side rooms. There hung a large painting that at first was an almost overwhelming sight with its green grass and an uncountable amount of characters thrown about. The artwork was in three panels, one calm, one wild, and one dark. The name: The Garden of Earthly Delights, was inscribed below, but you weren’t focused on that.
Sheba was standing in front of the painting and gazing at it with a look of adoration you only wished she’d give to you. You remember her mentioning it was one of her favorites when she’d gone over different artworks in class.
“I’ve always wanted to see this.” Sheba breathed softly. “It’s a bit silly, but it’s been one of my dreams for years.”
“It’s not silly.” You came to stand beside her. “It’s beautiful.” Like she was.
“Pop quiz. Who painted this? No–don’t look at the nameplate.” Sheba’s hand was around your wrist before you could even realize what was happening. She turned you away from the painting so you couldn't cheat. “If you can’t remember, I’ll be disappointed.”
You gasped in surprise. What was his name? It was an odd name. You couldn’t think with how close she was to you, your eyes locked.
“Did you forget?” Sheba let her lower lip hang in a mock-pout.
Then, it came to you.
“Hieronymus Bosch…?”
“You’re wonderful.” Sheba beamed. She let go of your arm with a laugh, then grabbed it again. “Come, I think there’s a painting you’d like just down the hall.”
You spent the rest of the time in that museum looking with Sheba as she poured out everything she knew about every artwork you passed. She was the only other person to notice the door frames with their carved, golden lines, and the two of you nerded out about them for at least 15 minutes.
It had never really occurred to you how lonely Sheba was. You knew she had two children and was divorced from her husband who had full custody after she’d had a breakdown a few years back that resulted in her being fired. She’d then gotten a job at one of the more dangerous schools in the area where kids were only in art because it was a requirement, which is why she so dearly loved any student that showed a true interest in it like you did. Now she was working at your college but she spent the majority of her time in her classroom.
She was incredibly friendly but always seemed to be the odd one out. She was odd, sure, but you’d grown to care a lot for her. She was beautiful in a fallen angel sort of way, as though she belonged somewhere else and had gotten lost. She was too pretty for the earth with her pale complexion and delicate eyes; the only eyes that could make an icy blue seem warm.
The two of you always felt a strange kinship in your feelings of nonbelonging, but it was in that museum that it cemented into something more.
You toured the city until your feet ached, then had dinner at a fancy restaurant with large windows and twinkling lights. The whole place looked even more beautiful at night.
After returning to the hotel you went to join your friends at the giftshop in the lobby. It was cluttered but rather empty for the time of night. There were rows of shirts and bags and just about anything you could think of. The little trinkets practically sang your name as you looked through them, but one in particular sang a different tune.
It was a little print of The Garden of Earthly Delights, the painting that Sheba–and now you–loved. Around it was a small golden frame, hand painted to look worn. It was a keychain, but it was beautiful.
Sheba was at a quick meeting so you returned to an empty hotel room. You set the small gift box containing the keychain on her pillow and then showered.
When you came back out, dressed in pajamas, you found Sheba holding the box up to a nearby lamp.
“What is this?” She asked in her sing-songy voice as she twisted her hand and inspected the box. “Is this from that joke shop down the road?”
“God, no.” You laughed. “Open it. You’ll like it.”
“You didn’t have to get me something…” Sheba protested with a smile, though her protest faded when she opened the box and her eyes fell upon what was inside. As delicate as a flower, she lifted the keychain out and held it up to the light. “Oh, Y/n…”
“It was buy one get one.” You quickly held up one of your own to prove your point, and to fill the silence. Was it weird you’d gotten her a gift? Maybe a little. But you couldn’t help it, not after earlier.
Sheba’s lips fell for a moment and worry pierced your heart. You were about to speak when she cut you off. “It’s beautiful.” She let out a sort of broken chuckle, smiling, albeit trembly. The painting hung from her finger as she turned to look at you with soft eyes. “Thank you… really, thank you.”
You hadn’t expected such an… emotional response from a simple keychain, but it brought a smile to your own lips. “You’re welcome.” Then you paused. “Are you crying?”
Sheba chuckled again, rubbing her face with the palm of her hand. “N-no, no, it’s just… been a while since somebodies gotten me something.”
“Really?”
“Mhm.” Sheba wiped her face again and squeezed the keychain in her palm. She cleared her throat. “Would it be inappropriate of me to ask you for a hug?”
Your heart fluttered again and you shook your head. When she opened her arms, you slowly stepped inside.
Sheba’s a few inches taller than you. Her hug is awkward at first, her arms limply around your shoulders as if she was scared to pull you too close. But when you squeezed her tightly, she did the same, resting her chin on your shoulder with a heavy sigh. She turned her head and her nose tickled your hair.
“How long has it been since you’ve had a hug?” You asked, half teasing.
“You don’t want to know.” Her eyes closed and she sighed again.
The hug broke a few moments later when she let go, but her hand lingered on your arm a few moments longer. There was a sad sort of smile on her face and she affectionately ruffled your hair before murmuring something about a shower.
You lounged on your bed and watched tv while she showered. When she came out, she was, as you’d predicted, in an old band shirt and some loose pajama pants and wrapped in a purple robe. Her damp hair was pulled back into a messy bun and her face was bare of makeup. Somehow, she looked even more beautiful that way.
That’s when you realized she was on the phone. She sent you a look before going out onto the balcony, a frown plastered on her face.
You could hear her arguing loudly with whoever was on the phone. It didn’t sound good. At one point the other person must’ve taken a jab at her because the last thing you heard was a gasp and then silence.
Sheba came back in a few minutes later, head slightly lower and eyes on the floor. She pulled the curtains shut and laid down in her bed. “I’m sorry, I’m not feeling good.” She mumbled, slipping out of her robe.
“What’s wrong?” You asked worriedly, sitting up.
Sheba weakly waved you off, turning onto her side and facing away. “Mm.. just a migraine.” She lied, closing her eyes. “I think I’m going to try and get some sleep.”
You turned the tv off and watched her for a few moments longer. When she didn’t move or say anything else, you turned the light off. “I hope you feel better.”
“Me too.”
For about 45 minutes you laid in your bed and scrolled on your phone while Sheba laid quietly. At one point you thought she was asleep, but then you heard a soft whimper. Maybe it was a sleep sound.
A few moments later there was another. Then a sniffle.
“Sheba?” You sat up and turned the light on.
Sheba’s shoulders tensed and she held her breath. When you waited for a response, she shook her head and curled up. “Go back to sleep.”
“I wasn’t asleep.”
“Well, go to sleep then.”
Her voice was sharper than you’d ever heard it before; the soft honey turned to broken glass. She tensed even further at herself before softening. She wasn’t the type of person to snap, ever, even when she was mad.
“No, I’m sorry.” Slowly, she sat up and pawed at her face for a moment, still facing the other way. The light highlighted the messy strands of her hair and the bridge of her nose, but also the tears she missed. “You did nothing wrong. I’m a wreck, it isn’t you.”
“It’s alright, I understand.” You assured her. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Anything you can do…” Sheba scoffed as she pulled her knees to her chest. “No, no.. I shouldn’t burden you with my problems. You’re here to have fun.”
“I don’t think I’ll have very much fun if you’re miserable the whole time.”
Finally turning to look at you, Sheba revealed how broken she truly was. Her eyes were red and teary and she looked exhausted.
“Never get married.”
You frowned. “I thought you weren’t married.”
“I was. Even now, after divorcing, it’s still tearing me apart.” Sheba sighed and rested her head on her knees, hugging them tighter. “I’m allowed to message my kids and see them in person for supervised visits every other week. They’re still not completely used to me but they’re getting there again, we’re making progress.”
For a moment she seemed like she was going to cry again but then she held it back.
“My husband's new wife doesn’t like this… Claims she’s the only mother figure the kids need. A better one.” Sheba scoffed again but it was weak. “Now they’re trying to cut me out of their life completely.”
Your heart sank. She sounded so defeated. If you’d never gotten stuck sharing a room with her, you definitely never would have known any of this. You doubted anyone knew besides her. She must really be distraught if she’s sharing it with you.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You had nothing to do with it.” Sheba mumbled as she buried her face further in her knees.
“Still… you deserve better.” Before you realized what you were doing, you were sitting on the edge of her bed. She was perched tensely on the other edge, still facing away. “Do you think… they’ll get what they want?”
Sheba scoffed, the sound choked and teary. “I don’t doubt it.” Her shoulders shook and she hugged her knees even tighter. She was crying. You didn’t have to see her face to tell, you just knew.
Her back tensed with a shudder as she felt the brush of your fingers, but then she relaxed slightly. “You’re… the only person I’ve told about this.” She confided softly, slowly turning her head to look at you. Her expression reminded you of a lost kitten, her eyes wide, blue and teary, her lips trembling with barely held back sobs. “I-I don’t know why I’m burdening you with this, I’m sorry. You don’t care about this…”
“I do.” You finally laid your palm on her back.
“You shouldn't.” Sheba’s words were meant to be harsh but any bite in them was drowned out by the weak sob that fell from her lips.
She waited until you moved to sit beside her, then her head fell onto your shoulder and she just cried. It was only natural that you held her. So that’s what you did.
Time seemed to stop and you had no idea how long you held her, but by the time her sobs died down, she was shaking and hot to the touch.
She sank into the mattress as you laid her down and whined at the loss of your touch but she couldn’t bring herself to move. You got a cold cloth for her head and then sat back down beside her, rubbing her back.
“Don’t… don’t tell anyone about this.” Sheba hiccuped softly as you held the rag to her forehead. She relished in the cold, eyes fluttering closed. “I’m… I’m sorry, y/n. I’m so sorry…”
“You have no reason to be.” She leaned into your touch so you continued your soft murmurs. “You deserve so much better than all of this… someone that loves you.””
“I don’t think I deserve love anymore.”
“Bullshit.”
Sheba only whimpered, so you tugged her shoulder until she rolled on her back and looked over at you.
“You deserve love.” You insisted as you gave her a quick shake. “More than anybody.”
Her face crumpled once more, but this time with joy. Nobody had ever been this kind to her, nobody had ever treated her so gentle and warm…
After wiping her face, Sheba set her hand on your arm and sniffled. “...will you lay with me?”
“Yeah.”
The two of you squeezed side by side on the little hotel bed. Sheba still faced away from you, shoulders trembling as you rubbed her back. After a while, she blindly reached over her shoulder. You thought she was trying to push you away but when her fingers clumsily caught your wrist, she gave it a tug.
She kept tugging until you moved closer, your chest nearly inches from her back.
Then she let go and flipped to face you. Her watery eyes met yours. The air in the room was thick with tension, a certain fear that harbored within both of your hearts.
“Will you… hold me?”
If you couldn’t see her body and only had the voice for reference, you would’ve assumed the plea came from a weakened child. But somehow, her face almost seemed to emphasize that as well. A single tear fell from her eyes and her lips trembled. She was barely holding back. If you were to say no, she’d probably break then and there.
“Of course.” You whispered instead and opened your arms.
Sheba rolled into them as if yanked by a rope. Her face buried into your chest and she squeezed you as tight as she could.
The tension grew with possible sobs, but Sheba had already cried every tear from her eyes. Instead she just clung to you like a koala and let you rub her back once more. Your arms felt like the home that she’d lost long ago.
“This is so… wrong.” Her voice cracked with a sad giggle. She pulled her face out of your shirt and blinked to clear the blurriness from her gaze. “Isn’t that silly? Everything I do is wrong… and the things I do to fix my mistakes are even more wrong.”
“Wrong? I can’t hug my professor?”
“We’re borderline cuddling…” Sheba muttered without an attempt to pull away. “In a single bed in a shitty hotel room.”
Your eyes locked and before either of you could say anything else, you both burst out laughing.
“I don’t care if it’s wrong.” You shook your head once you calmed down. Running your fingers through her hair, you studied her for a moment. You’d never been so close.
Now, you could see almost every pore on her face, her makeup long gone and washed away. You could count every eyelash; pet the little wrinkles by her eyes when she smiled, memorize the patterns of blue within her irises…
“This could be even worse…”
You could even feel the soft heat radiating from the blush on her cheeks. She leaned her face into your palm, gazing up at you with the same gaze you wore.
“Would it make you feel better if it was?”
Sheba laughed. “Yes.”
Another tear slipped from the corner of her eye but you caught it. Her lips formed a trembling smile, and then you could no longer see them, but you could feel them.
Sheba’s hands rested gently on your neck as she broke the wall, kissing you. She kissed you like there was no tomorrow; like when she woke up, you’d be gone just like everyone else was in her life.
But when she opened her eyes and pulled away to breathe, you were still there.
The sight shocked her to her core and she began to cry again.
“Oh, Sheba…” You hummed, holding her face and peppering her forehead with kisses. “I’ve got you… it’s okay, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t think I could handle it if you left me.” Her admission would’ve sent her spiraling further but you caught her sob with your lips. You kissed her a few moments longer, then smiled.
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Promise?” Sheba’s voice cracked.
“Promise.”
Her teary blue eyes took you in, as if for the first time, she was really seeing you. In all your beauty, inside and out. Your devotion to her that was now finally allowed to show, your promise…
Voice failing her, Sheba slowly reached out and took your hands.
Slowly, she moved your hands to the waist of her pajama pants. Her breath shuddered and then she reached and tucked hair behind your ear. There was a longing in her eyes, a deep, primal longing.
“If you’re not ready…” She trailed off.
“No, no…” Your fingers slowly curled around the band, eyes softening. “Just… be quiet, yeah? I think those really nosy students from your afternoon class are staying in the room to the left.”
Sheba laughed at that. “I’ll do my best.” She promised, stretching out with a content sigh. She stared up at you a moment longer, then pulled you in for another kiss.
Okay so my brain is basically FRIED and I can't think of ff beyond a few long ones that could become series (and I haven't even updated the 2 I have), but, it's a whole week until the holidays are over and I don't want to leave you without fanfics, so I have time to…
2 FANFICS
So if you have a request send it in.
If they send more than 2, I could do them, but until summer vacation or until the university allows me to
